The champion Templar Knights of the 21st century return
from another triumphant metal crusade, heeding the call of the wild
with full strike. The renegade - rebel inside - trailblazers of the
metal age attempt to attain a natural high, howlin' with the 'pac. The
unchained warlords of sonic genocide entertain by hammering out their
thrash - old and new. The blood bound brothers and titan warriors of
faith, remain forever unbound, unbent, unbroken, on the edge of honour.
Their carved in stone cold metal has truly withstood the test of time
and the secrets of steel. The question on everyone's mind is - are Hammerfall
ready to reign over dreamland, at the edge of the rainbow, and secure
their own shadow empire?

On this their sixth studio endeavour, can they keep the
flame burning, and does the fire burn forever, and ever? There is no
doubt that indeed the templars flame is still lit and always will be.
I believe the threshold of balance has been reached; such that essentially
the eternal fire still burns. I feel the fire and I hear the call of
crimson thunder. Sadly, even though the fire does burn; it fails to
sear, singe, or scar. The lightning strikes, but misses its mark. My
thrash hold of tolerance is tempted. I'm compelled to brandish the unforgiving
blade of disillusionment and castigate these riders of the storm, who
have now begun running with the devolved sound.

Do you remember yesterday when Hammerfall's glory to the
brave legacy of kings, meant pure power metal at maximum speed? Lately,
it seems that those once destined for glory, have written back to back,
petty made in a hurry, humour fallacies. Threshold falls somewhere between
the songwriting of Chapter V and Crimson Thunder, with hints of Renegade.
I will always be a Hammerfall fan and I will always support them, no
matter what. I never, ever will cease in enjoying the wonderful music
which they create. I just wish they would write another solid metal
masterpiece. The hammer of justice demands this, so do the loyal fans;
lest the hammer wielders fall out of favour, and become the fallen ones,
altogether. Dreams come true, and Hammerfall have the ability to regain
the throne of tyranny. They just need to get back to the roots and dig
up old graveyard classics.

That all having been said, Threshold is not without its
uplifting moments. The songwriting may mostly falter leaving me a tad
wiley and furious, and the lyrical content may lead to one's discontent,
with those once eternal dark words now becoming trite and trivial; but
the production by Charlie Bauerfeind is top notch, and the awesome cover
artwork by Samwise Didier is spectactular. Some of the best songs include
the single Natural High (selected by Anders), for which Hammerfall have
fashioned their best video yet. With a theme about a vampire's euphoric
state being achieved by dining on blood, Hammerfall excel in writing
about a commonplace metal subject, with this their first attempt. The
video portrays Hector as a buff vampire slayer who decimates the creatures
of the night with his demolition hammer blow.

There is even a guest appearance by Chris Jericho. Shadow
Empire and Genocide are also tried and true, soon to be Hammerfall classics.
Howlin' With The 'Pac has Hammerfall becoming wanton weakened warriors
on a lad's night out. The Fire Burns Forever has a real Hearts On Fire
flavour to it, leaving my human heart racing, pumped, and primed. The
brooding epic Dark Wings, Dark Words suggests that the damned warchild/warlord
spirit is still present in their mettle hearts, still hard to tear apart.
The best song, by far, and easily the fastest, hammers my heart and
falls in the form of a blazing instrumental - ensuring the Reign Of
The Hammer, indeed!

Overall, Hammerfall short of achieving an outstanding
deliverance of the truest heavy metal when compared to the new Heavenly
and their ilk. They still write excellent music in memoriam, by borrowing
from their idols: Manowar (Rebal Inside), Warlord (Dark Wings, Dark
Words), Judas Priest (Carved In Stone and Genocide), and Accept (Titan).
The heroes return to the standard style which they made essentially
popular during the stagnant mid '90s era. Unfortunately, they have become
stung by the wasp and already have begun repeating themselves a little
too much; with several songs sounding a little too similar. This is
why I must remove some chalices; given their tautaulogical rising force.

Still, steel meets steel and the way of the warrior is
stronger than all. Hammerfall have become the raving lords of lore,
seizing and taking the black angel of merciless music under their own
dark wings again proving that even the eternal dark has a silver lining.
This is owing to the fact the no matter what, Hammerfall are the true
metal warriors born to rule as imperial leaders of renegade steel. I
will end this review with a congruent statement found in the title track:
"We are one, we will unite at the threshold of the universe...".